Page 57 of Scars and Burns

She will be exquisite.

There is a knock at the door, “Enter”, I say.

Looking over to find my Father’s page, “His Majesty requests your presence.”

I nod, waving them off.

One-on-one talks with my Father are just a bother and a bore now. He knows the people are rising up against him. He just doesn’t know who is rallying them together.

I ensure all his endeavors lead to dead ends. Aemond’s name stayed well out of his thoughts. Never bringing Estelle and Lilliana to his attention.

He has no idea what is coming for him. He thinks his dark forces and shadow magic will protect him. He thinks I will protect him if anything should befall him.

But I can’t. I won’t.

Won’t stand by the man who mutilated my body and soul. He will die by my hands. Slowly. Painfully. Receiving everything he deserves.

I make my way over to his study. Dismissing the page that was there. Entering without knocking. Aside from his title I am in every way his equal.

“You sent for me, Your Grace?” I stand stoic in the center of his study.

“Your Grace? Must we be so formal, my son?”

Ever since I have defeated him and received my full Goddess mark he has acted as if I am the most valuable thing in his life. Prouder than ever that I have become exactly what he created me to be.

Death.

Going on with his life as if he didn’t torture me for the majority of mine.

Clearing my throat, “What can I do for you, Father?”

He smirks at me, “I want to know your plan for the marriage celebration in the Middle Kingdom.”

“We plan to depart in two weeks time. We will come in celebration.”

“And? Is that all? You only plan to come in celebration?”

“I will make myself known to the Princess. She’s known to be very welcoming to flattering. I may only be a year older than Prince Proteus but he is untested. He has yet to see battle or blood shed. He assumes he is secure. His parents will be there, making him feel safe and powerful. He will not know how to navigate the landscape I am about to present to him.”

He hums in agreement, “And what of King Elio?”

“What of him?”

“He will surely sense something to be awry. He keeps a very close eye on his daughter. He has been planning this alliance for years. Do not believe he will not go down without a fight. He will ensure this alliance continues.”

“Well, we will just have to offer him a new alliance.”

He gives me a suspicious look, “You intend to kill Prince Proteus and claim Princess Saphrina as your own.The same plan as before.”

“Yes, is there a problem with that?”

He walks over to me. Standing directly in front of me now, mere feet away. He places a hand on my shoulder. “Not at all my son. I had hoped you would stick to my original plan. With you bonded to Princess Saphrina and the Celestial Realm prince out of the way. The other two realms will be ours for the taking.”

* **

Our horses are ready and our bags are packed. Aemond is saying his final goodbye to Estelle and Lilliana.

I see him give Estelle a loving and lasting hug outside the billet. I look at them. Longing for that kind of embrace. Torturing myself. Knowing it will never come.

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